Studies show that hearing loss can lead to psychological distress. Psychological distress from hearing loss can lead to increased vulnerability to mental health problems like depression, aggression, emotional sensitivity, and decreased well-being.
Acknowledging your emotions and mental health can be the first hurdle in taking steps to improve your quality of life. One way to do this is by using hearing aids or other hearing loss treatments.
Let’s examine the potential emotional side effects of hearing loss and learn how to address them through treatment.
Depression and Anxiety
Depression can be a common side effect of hearing loss. A survey on the association of depression with hearing loss found that the prevalence of moderate to severe depression for adults with hearing loss was 11.4%, an average of 5.5%higher than those without.
Additionally, an evaluation of 17,135 people with hearing loss found a “lifetime prevalence of anxiety disorder of 11.1%”. It concluded that the likelihood of anxiety is higher among people with hearing loss than those without.
Hearing aids can be a great way to help decrease feelings of depression and anxiety caused by hearing loss. Making an appointment with your audiologist is the first step in treating hearing loss and its side effects.
Untreated Hearing Loss Can Lead to Social Isolation, Shame, Awkwardness and Inadequacy
People with hearing loss often seclude themselves from social interactions. Feelings of shame, awkwardness, inadequacy or exhaustion from interactions make maintaining strong social circles difficult. A review on loneliness and social isolation in people with hearing loss found important implications for their cognitive and psychosocial health. Social isolation can in turn lead to depression, anxiety, poor physical health and well-being.
Seeking Help for Hearing Loss
Hearing loss is a heavy contributor to poor mental health status. Seeking help for your hearing loss can be an empowering experience. Follow these tips through your hearing loss journey to stay on top of your mental health:
- Communicate your feelings to your loved ones.
- Seek professional help through counseling or therapy.
- Engage in social activities and share your frustrations openly.
- Keep a journal or similar activity to help self-monitor your feelings.
Taking care of your mental health through hearing loss treatment can help you get back to coffee dates with friends or fun dinners at Cyprus Grill in Hampton.
Getting treatment can help minimize the side effects of hearing loss. Make an appointment with an audiologist at Hampton Roads ENT ~ Allergy today to discuss hearing loss treatment options.